The strategic position of a startup firm typically benefits from offering something ahead of competitors and, therefore, essentially having little or no competition. According to the Strategic Planning Institute data on over 2,500 strategic business units of large firms, the four key factors correlating with profitability are (1) low capital intensity, (2) high market share relative to competitors, (3) having a differentiated, rather than commodity, product, and (4) being in a growing market.
 
CALSHA works with startup firms to
• evaluate venture ideas,
• discuss the essential ingredients for every startup,
• examine strengths and opportunities,
• determine competitive barriers,
• ascertain weaknesses and threats,
• identify milestones, and
• establish success and failure factors.